Expenses For New Flooring

Added June 29, 2006 by Ilyce R. Glink

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Summary: When undertaking home improvement projects like replacing flooring, the price you pay can depend on how the house is laid out. Sometimes there is more waste when a room is smaller, increasing the cost. To get a fairly decent estimate, try to add up the room sizes and then figure out how much flooring you'll need. Or go to a big box store like Lowe's and talk to a salesperson, or use online calculators like those found at www.homedepot.com.

Q: I am interested in a house. Can you give me an estimate on how much it might cost to recarpet a house of 1,750 square feet.

I'm wondering what the range would be for low and high-priced carpet.

A: I'm not in the carpet business, but I do know that the price you pay depends on how the house is laid out. Sometimes there is more waste when rooms are smaller, but with a big room, you'll have a seam every 12 to 15 feet, depending on how wide the roll of carpet is that you choose.

While you asked about a home that's $1,750 square feet, typically no one carpets bathrooms, the kitchen or entry hallway, so that subtracts from the amount you need. You may have or want hardwood floors in the living room (hardwood floors typically cost $8-12 per foot installed, so a 200-square foot room would cost about $2,000 for hardwood floors).

Builder's grade carpet typically runs $17 to $20 per square yard (that's 9 square feet) installed. To get a fairly decent estimate, try to add up the room sizes and then figure out how much you'll need, or go online and try Home Depot's carpet calculator (www.homedepot.com).

According to the calculator, a room that's 23x15 will need 40 1/3 square yards of carpet.

If you're buying carpet that's $20 per square yard installed, it'll cost you around $900 plus tax to carpet that room.

I suggest you visit your local home improvement center and a local carpet store to check out prices. Most of the big box stores like Lowe's sell and install carpet. Perhaps one of their carpet experts can help you calculate a more exact estimate.

Published: Jun 29, 2006

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